OBJECTIVETo improve the sample collection methods and bacteriologic localization patterns in male genital tract infection, and to investigate the influence of specimen collection and pathogen isolation on the diagnosis and treatment of prostatitis.

METHODSWe collected the samples of the initial urinary stream, the third portion of the urinary stream, expressed prostatic secretion (ESP), and semen from 200 adult males with chronic prostatitis-like symptoms, inoculated them quantitatively in culture media for isolation of microorganisms, and evaluated their laboratory diagnostic significance according to the count of colonies and distribution of the isolates.

RESULTSA total of 468 strains of microorganisms were isolated from the samples, including 414 strains of bacteria spp (88.5%), 12 strains of fungi spp (2.6%), 40 strains of mycoplasma spp (8.5%), and 2 strains of chlamydia spp (0.4%). Pathogens were isolated from the ESP in 66 cases (33.0%), from the semen in 34 cases (17.0%), and from both the ESP and semen in 100 cases (50.0%). Only 1 species of pathogen was found in the ESP samples of 36 cases (18.0%), in the semen samples of 20 cases (10%), and in both the ESP and semen samples of 39 cases (19.5%); 2 species in the ESP samples of 30 cases (15.0%), in the semen samples of 14 cases (7.0%), and in both the ESP and semen samples of 60 cases (30.0%); and 3 species in both the ESP and semen samples of 1 case (0.5%).

CONCLUSIONMultiple microbial infection (MMI), multi-organ infection (MOI) and drug-resistance strains infection are common in patients with prostatitis-like symptoms, frequently leading to missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis in clinic and laboratory, and affecting the effect of antimicrobial therapy. MMI and MOI can be diagnosed and differentially diagnosed with the improved sample collection methods and bacteriologic localization patterns.

Adult ; Bacterial Load ; Chronic Disease ; Genital Diseases, Male ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatitis ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Reproductive Tract Infections ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Semen ; microbiology ; Specimen Handling ; methods ; Urethra ; microbiology

AIM: To study the effect of cigarette smoke medium(CSM) on the gene expression and activity of gelatinases from alveolar macrophages(AMs) in the rat,and then to explore their role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).METHODS: AMs were obtained from BALF of the rats that had smoked for 12 weeks.CSM was produced following the method of Wirtz and colleagues,and the cultured AMs were respectively stimulated for 24 h by 0%,1%,3%,5%,10%, 15% CSM.The mRNA levels of MMP-9 and MMP-2 were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR,and the enzyme activity was measured by Zymography.RESULTS: When the concentration of CSM was below 5%,the expression and activity of MMP-9 and MMP-2 signficantly increased with the concentration of CSM in a dose-depended manner(P

Objective:To evaluate the effects of periodontitis on the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in pancreas of rats with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.Methods:Spontaneously type 2 diabetic OLETF rats were randomly divided into 2 groups:diabetes with or without periodontitis(diabetes group and combination group).LETO rats with the same germline and the same age but having normal glucose tolerance were randomly divided into control group and periodontitis group.20 weeks after periodontitis were established,all the rats were sacrificed and the pancreas were pathologically examined by HE staining.The expression of Bax,Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 in the pancreas islet were detected by immunohistochemistry staining and semi-quantitative analysis.Results:The expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 in the pancreas islet was no significant difference between control and periodontitis groups(P=0.324,P=0.091,P=0.852).Compared with diabetes group,the expression of Bax and Caspase-3 in combination group showed a significant increase(P=0.000,P=0.000),and the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly decreased(P=0.022).Conclusion:Under healthy conditions,periodontitis has no effect on the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in rat pancreas islet.However,in rats with diabe-tes,periodontitis may affect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in pancreas islet.

OBJECTIVETo explore the influence of non-gonococcal Neisseria on the diagnosis and treatment of male genitourinary infection.

METHODSThe samples of urethral exudates, prostatic secretions or/and semen were collected from 8 cases of male patients with acute urethritis or chronic prostatitis, then inoculated into gonococcal agar medium, blood agar medium, Sabouraud agar medium and Mycoplasma agar medium, respectively. Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasmae, fungi and other bacteria were isolated, Chlamydiae examined by Gemenez staining, and the gram-negative diplococci from the samples identified by oxidase test, biochemical examination and drug sensitivity test. The PCR products of the cryptic plasmid pJD1 gene of the isolated strains were amplified for the identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Based on the results of drug sensitivity tests, intravenous or oral antibiotics were selected for treatment.

RESULTSEight strains of gram-negative diplococci were isolated in this study, 3 identified as N. mucosa, 4 as N. cinerea and the other 1 as N. lactamica. The PCR identification test of the cryptic plasmid pJD1 gene showed the same positive results in all the strains as in N. gonorrhoeae. The non-gonococcal Neisseria isolated from the male genital tract secretions exhibited a multidrug resistance, especially to quinolones and fosfomycin. All the symptoms disappeared and no pathogens were detected in the patients after a 7-day treatment with Cephalosporins or/and Minocycline.

CONCLUSIONSome Neisseria species normally parasitizing the upper respiratory tract can also cause male genitourinary infections, such as gonorrhea-like urethritis and chronic prostatitis. Neisseria gonorrhea could be clinically and etiologically misdiagnosed through such conventional methods as morphological examination, oxidase test and PCR identification test of cryptic plasmid and other nonspecific genes. Intravenous and/or oral antibiotic medication based on the results of drug sensitivity tests can cure acute urethritis and chronic prostatitis induced by non-gonococcal Neisseria in males. Drug resistance of non-gonococcal Neisseria directly affects the success of treatment.

Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neisseria ; isolation & purification ; Neisseriaceae Infections ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Prostatitis ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Urethritis ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; microbiology

AIMTo study the binding mode of balofloxacin with DNA and evaluate the influence of Mg2+ on the binding between balofloxacin and DNA.

METHODSFluorescent spectroscopy was used to study the interaction of balofloxacin with DNA and to calculate the thermodynamic constants. UV-Vis spectra, DNA viscosity titration, competition experiment and the effect of dsDNA and ssDNA on the fluorescense intensity were used to identify the binding mode.

RESULTSBalofloxacin interacted with CT-DNA with a quenching constant of (5.43 +/- 0.07) x 10(3) L x mol(-1). The interaction was exothermic with a Van't Hoff enthalply of - 8.03 kJ x mol(-1) x Mg2+ cation could enhance the quenching constant between balofloxacin and DNA.

CONCLUSIONBalofloxacin interacted with CT-DNA in the mode of groove binding and Mg2+ could mediate the binding of balofloxacin to DNA.

Animals ; Cattle ; DNA ; chemistry ; Fluoroquinolones ; chemistry ; Magnesium ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; Thermodynamics

Chinese materia medica (CMM) is characterized with complicated components, diverse structures and multiple activities, whose quality and efficacy are difficult to display only by detection of single component. The comprehensive evaluation is greatly applied in CMM research by integrating assessment of multi-components, multi-indexes and multi-influence factors, and the challenge of which is how to choose the suitable method for data analysis. Radar chart is one of the most widely used multi-index comprehensive evaluation methods. Because of its high similarity with spider web in form, the concept of “spider-web” mode was put forward and used in the screening of quality marker (Q-maker), the quality evaluation of CMM, the stability study, the selection of bioactive components, and so on. In order to preferably apply the “spider-web” mode in CMM study, this paper systematically summarized the application of “spider-web” mode and radar chart in CMM and introduced its advantages, characteristics and application fields.

Objective To explore the effects of nutritional intervention on the quality of life and nutritional status of patients with colorectal cancer treated with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods Fifty-six patients with colorectal cancer subjected to postoperative chemotherapy were selected. They were divided into nutritional intervention group (n=20) and control group (n=36). Blood test indices, PG-SGA scores, and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey scores were compared 4 weeks after the surgery. Results No significant difference in PG-SGA score was found between the nutritional group and the control group at admission (t=-0.347, P=0.730), but statistically significant difference was detected after 4 weeks (t=-2.708, P=0.009). At 4 weeks after the surgery, the serum levels of prealbumin, albumin, and hemoglobin were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Other indices of quality of life assessment (P < 0.05), except for the index of emotional function (P=0.083), were significantly different between the two groups, and the scores of the nutritional intervention group were higher than those of the control group. Conclusion Nutritional intervention can effectively improve the nutritional status and quality of life of patients with colorectal cancer treated with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.

BACKGROUNDLate-onset multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD) is the most common type of lipid storage myopathies in China. Most patients with late-onset MADD are well responsive to riboflavin. Up to now, these patients are often treated with glucocorticoids as the first-line drug because they are misdiagnosed as polymyositis without muscle biopsy or gene analysis. Although glucocorticoids seem to improve the fatty acid metabolism of late-onset MADD, the objective evaluation of their rationalization on this disorder and comparison with riboflavin treatment are unknown.

METHODSWe performed a historical cohort study on the efficacy of the two drugs among 45 patients with late-onset MADD, who were divided into glucocorticoids group and riboflavin group. Detailed clinical information of baseline and 1-month follow-up were collected.

RESULTSAfter 1-month treatment, a dramatic improvement of muscle strength was found in riboflavin group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in muscle enzymes between the two groups. Significantly, the number of patients with full recovery in glucocorticoids group was less than the number in riboflavin group (P < 0.05). On the other hand, almost half of the patients in riboflavin group still presented high-level muscle enzymes and weak muscle strength after 1-month riboflavin treatment, meaning that 1-month treatment duration maybe insufficient and patients should keep on riboflavin supplement for a longer time.

CONCLUSIONSOur results provide credible evidences that the overall efficacy of riboflavin is superior to glucocorticoids, and a longer duration of riboflavin treatment is necessary for patients with late-onset MADD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age of Onset ; Child ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; therapy ; Male ; Multiple Acyl Coenzyme A Dehydrogenase Deficiency ; drug therapy ; Muscular Dystrophies ; therapy ; Riboflavin ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

A prokaryotic expression plasmid containing VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) and sTNFRII(soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II ) genes was constructed. The sTNFRII was cloned by PCR by using special primers which contained VIP gene ORF and a linker in its forward primer. The amplified fragment was inserted into the expression vector pET32a between BamHI and Hind III restriction sites. Transformed E.coli DH5 by pET32a-VIP- sTNFRIIexpressed the fusion protein. After being identified, the protein was purified by ion exchange chromatography and by hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The reconstructed protein showed high bio-activity and could be applied for further use.

Objective To investigate the serum levels of miR-661 in type 2 diabetes(T2DM)patients and type 2 diabetes with microvascular complications(T2DMC),and to further evaluate its clinical auxiliary diagnosis significance.Methods The serum levels of miR-661 were examined in 60 T2DM patients,60 T2DMC patients and 60 healthy controls using quantitative real-time PCR (qRTPCR).The sera levels of biochemical parameters including fasting plasma glucose (FPG),cholesterol (TC),triglycerides (TG),low density lipoprotein (LDL-C),high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and haemoglobinA1C (HbA1 c) were determined by biochemical analyzer.The ROC curve analysis,correlation analyses and logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the clinical auxiliary diagnosis value of serum miR-661,respectively.Results The qRT-PCR results showed that the concentrations of miR-661 was 118 (63.6,192.4) fmol/L in healthy controls,which were significant lower than those of T2DM patients [230.1 (83.6,426.2) fmol/L,(U =1 207,P ＜ 0.01)] and T2DMC patients [441.3 (212.9,1 021) fmol/L,(U =435,P ＜ 0.01)].ROC curve (AUCROc) of miR-661 was 0.665(95％CI:0.585 ～0.765,P ＜0.01)for T2DM patients and 0.879(95％CI:0.821 ～ 0.938,P＜0.01)for T2DMC patients.The AUCROc between T2DM and T2DMC patients was 0.694 (95 ％ CI:0.600 ～ 0.788,P ＜ 0.01).The correlation analyses revealed that the levels of miR-661 was positively correlated with concentrations of FPG(r =0.291,P ＜ 0.05)and LDL-C(r =0.149,P ＜ 0.05),and negatively correlated with concentrations of HDL-C (r =-0.243,P ＜ 0.01).Logistic regression analysis revealed that serum miR-661 was an independent risk factor in T2DM and T2DMC(P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Serum miR-661 was potential biomarker and risk factor for T2DM and T2DMC.